There is so much more to herbalism and the health of the body than purely symptom and root cause treatment. As with everything in our world, humans and plants have their own energetics + energetic frequencies. There are frequencies that can work in harmony to balance and support each other, or, like magnets, repel each other!

You can think of energetics as characteristics. Similar to the energies of the seasons or the four elements; earth, air, fire, and water. We all instinctively know what to expect with each of these substances, even if that is mostly subconscious and not something we can specifically put into words…

These characteristics and elements are present in all of us, but in different combinations and concentrations for each of us. This means that different seasons, different medicinal plants, and different illnesses will affect each of us in a completely unique way.

Seasonal living is something I’ve been advocating a lot recently. It’s something I’ve first hand experience of; seeing how re establishing that natural and innate connection with nature improves both our physical, mental, emotional + spiritual health + wellbeing.

What is Seasonal Living?

Seasonal living is the art of aligning with and embracing the cycles of nature, rather than resisting them. In our modern world, we tend to celebrate “doing” and activity, and resist stillness, introspection, and rest.

The nervous system plays a huge role in not just our everyday health, but our ability to manage stress and stay healthy.

The Vagus nerve (or vagal nerves) is a series of nerves that runs the length of your body (along the spine) from brain to digestive system. And act as the main network of nerves for your Parasympathetic Nervous System. In other words the balancing and opposing system to your Sympathetic Nervous System or ‘fight-flight-freeze’ response.

If the sympathetic nervous system acts to keep you safe from danger, then the parasympathetic nervous system is what makes you feel safe + calm afterwards.

What Does the Vagus Nerve Do?

As well as making up about 80% or the parasympathetic nervous system the vagal nerves also control a range of functions in the body ; This system controls specific body functions such as your digestion, heart rate, immune system + mood.

Are you listening to your body? It’s a question that gets flung around a lot in the health and well-being industry. But what does it even mean? And why is it important?

Have you ever had a morning where you have woken up feeling sluggish, bloated, nauseous? or a day when you haven't drunk enough water and you end up with a headache and feel tired and irritable? These symptoms are your bodies way of trying to tell you something is wrong, in the same way that craving certain foods can often tell you what vitamins, minerals and nutrients your body is lacking.

We have forgotten how to listen to our bodies

We have forgotten how to listen to our bodies, and we have forgotten how to eat to nourish our body!

Have you ever stopped to think about what these signals of fatigue, restlessness and aches and pains actually mean? Or on the other side, the meaning of having extra energy, a skip in your step?